Thursday, August 25, 2005

Another painful issue...(I didn't think anyone was doing episiotomies any more!)

EurekaAlert reports on a study published in the September 2005 issue of Birth: Issues in PreNatal Care that rates of episiotomy are still high despite recommendations by obstetric, midwifery, and nursing bodies to limit the use of this procedure. A recent JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) article found that routine episiotomies provide no benefit, and, in fact, harm women -- The same information is repeated at the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Maternity Center Association, who gives tips on how to avoid an episiotomy. I don't know why so many are still being done, but it sure emphasizes how important it is to be your own advocate...

1 comment:

Hsien Lei said...

I gave birth in Japan a few years ago where episiotomies are still routine. Still, I was lucky that my doctor adhered to my birth plan and got the midwife to help me avoid one. During the week I stayed in the hospital after giving birth (everyone stays that long in Japan), the women who had gotten episiotomies were in pain, esp. those who had been cut in more than one place. They couldn't believe that I was doing ok, healing well, and not in pain!